Even during immense loss there were positives that came from staying at home all year. For example, some point to a cleaner environment, more time with families, more self-awareness and purposeful self-care of our mental health and well-being with a global reset on what matters.
Self-care is a focus for many and paid subscriptions to wellness, fitness and entertainment [programs] continue. Some emerging megatrends that are likely to stick post-pandemic are:
| Spending on luxe is on the rise and with many Americans having amassed a decent savings, 50% of people say they will be treating themselves soon.¹ |
| Focus on health and wellness is here to stay – the pandemic brought an awareness like no other time in history on the importance of physical, mental, and emotional health. This trend is likely to morph into a permanent shift for many.¹ |
| Continued use of e-commerce is expected to endure. Many will continue to purchase essentials and non-essentials online.¹ |
| Experiential in-store experiences accomplished by engaging the five senses are poised to meet the pent-up need to go shopping and are expected to skyrocket.¹ |
| Working from home will continue to evolve with some companies moving toward hybrid office environments.² |
| Rise of brand activism – customers expect brands to stand for something, contribute back to communities, treat workers fairly and practice sustainability authentically and consistently. Individuals will be watching and voting with their dollars.² |
| Merging of the physical and digital worlds is expected as people want the convenience of spontaneity, like being able to order a coffee through an app and then sit in an outside venue or take a walk in nature.² |
| Brand Flexibility – people want brands to become more flexible and offer 24-hour service to meet the demands of their new, more fluid lifestyle.² |
| Life balance – greater health and safety, self-awareness and re-prioritization of work-life balance are here to stay. |
1 Squareup.com, What we’ve learned about consumer trends so far in 2021, Linda Landers, May 18, 2021, https://squareup.com/us/en/townsquare/emerging-consumer-trends-pandemic , last accessed June 18, 2021
2 Wall St Journal, wsj.com, Top 10 global consumer trends for 2021, Ellen Byron, January 18, 2021, Top 10 Global Consumer Trends for 2021 – WSJ, last accessed June 18, 2021
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